Dodgers 4, Giants, 0: I watched part of this game with my kids after they got home from school. When they were showing the lineups, they showed Clayton Kershaw‘s career .146 average and my son asked me why it was so low compared to the other players’. I explained to him that pitchers can’t really bat. I am thankful that we changed it over to the Tigers-Twins game before Kershaw hit that homer because I’d hate for my son to question his father’s wisdom.

Brewers 5, Rockies 4: I saw a guy in Arizona last month wearing a “Lucroy is my homeboy” t-shirt. You earn that shirt with walkoff sac-flies, right?

Cubs 3, Pirates 1: Jeff Samardzija allowed only two hits while striking out nine. And extended a streak, now entering its sixth year, in which I never actually type his name out, preferring instead to copy and paste it. Really, if I ever receive a call from someone telling me they’ve taken a loved one hostage and to free them I have to spell “Samardzija,” they’re pretty much already dead.

Mets 11, Padres 2: The Mets continue to kick butt in home openers, this being their 20th win in their last 22 Opening Days at Shea/Citi. Jon Niese pitched effectively into the seventh, had two hits, an RBI and scored a run. But really, I’m still telling my kids pitchers can’t hit.

Tigers 4, Twins 2: So cold that Justin Verlander actually wore a long-sleeved shirt under his jersey. That’s the first time I’ve ever seen that. But by far the coolest thing in the whole game was when Prince Fielder scored from third on a wild pitch. That man may be big, but he friggin’ moves. I bet he’s faster than several other first baseman in the game which, given his size, would not be something that would get you good betting odds. But I bet it’s true.

Nationals 2, Marlins 0: Harper + Strasburg = wins. That’s an equation that’s gonna hold together for several years. Two homers for the guy I picked to be the NL MVP mere hours before the first pitch of the game. Keep making me look smart, Bryce, and I’m gonna say even more nice things about you.

Red Sox 8, Yankees 2: Just a whole lot of blah for New York. It’s way, way too early to worry about CC Sabathia — anyone remember how bad he started out in 2008? And in a lot of other years — but in a year when the Yankees HAVE to have the rotation come through for them, this is not encouraging. Neither is a 3:37 game time for a ballgame this sloppy. But for two teams undergoing so much roster upheaval lately, that has to be some sort of comforting bit of continuity, yes?

Angels 3, Reds 1: Chris Iannetta was the hero, hitting a solo homer in the third and a bases-loaded single in the 13th inning to account for all of the Halos’ runs. Guessing Mike Scioscia and Dusty Baker were not really planning on Game One taking 12 pitchers between them. Insert that thing about battle plans never surviving engagement with the enemy.

Braves 7, Phillies 5: Three homers off Cole Hamels for Atlanta, which is pretty much how the Braves rolled all spring training and which is pretty much how most of their wins will go down this year. All season there will likely be a lot of feast/famine, methinks. Oh, and Fredi Gonzalez intentionally walked Michael Young once. That actually happened.

Mariners 2, Athletics 0: Felix Hernandez had a much better night among the newly-extended pitchers: seven and two-thirds innings, no runs, two hits, eight strikeouts. Both M’s runs came on a Franklin Gutierrez double. This may be the only day of the season Gutierrez isn’t suffering from some mystery ailment or 19th century disease, but it is nice to see him play when he is healthy.

The largest regular-season crowd at Nationals Park witnessed The Future. Or, at least, what has been billed as The Future. Stephen Strasburg pitching scoreless innings, Bryce Harper hitting a pair of homers over the out-of-town scoreboard.

There were several awards handed out before the game. Far more than previously handed out to Nats. Gold Gloves, Silver Sluggers, Rookie of the Year, Manager of the Year, GM of the Year. But the really impressive thing was Mike Rizzo wearing a suit. This is a guy who is allergic to suits.

The President did not show up to throw out the first pitch. Out rolling Easter eggs or some other weak excuse. There oughta be a law requiring the President to throw out the first pitch in Washington. Maybe the President will show up when the White Sox visit next week.

First President’s Race with newbie Bill (Howard Taft). After the race, he and Teddy started fighting. Bad feelings left over from the 1912 election, no doubt. But no sign of Woody, who actually won the President’s Race that year.

Bryce Harper set another kid record: youngest to hit 2 homers on Opening Day. No official word whether he also tied the record for highest OPS after 2 plate appearances (5.000).

Nothing to add on the Fish to what Gator provided yesterday. Just to repeat that Ricky Nolasco pitched well and Placido Polanco batted cleanup. Also, that I feel for Mike Redmond, and expect Bud to resurface his contraction plan any day now.

Giants got swept by Diamondbacks at the start of the 2012 season so losing to the Dodger fans, the first game means nothing!
If Buster wasn’t injured during the 2011 season, the Giants have three in World Series in a row!